The Big Picture Story Bible

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Format: Hardcover

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Out of Print

About The Big Picture Story Bible

No child is too young to begin learning about the greatest love story of all—God’s love for his people, as portrayed in the Bible. David Helm and Gail Schoonmaker have together created a colorful book of Bible stories written especially for children ages 2–7. Rather than simply retelling portions of the Bible, this book presents the big picture—the unified story running through the Old and New Testaments. Twenty-six stories together form parts of this big picture.

Simply written and beautifully illustrated, this book teaches children the Bible’s whole story so they can begin to appreciate the fulfillment of God’s promise to his people. The Big Picture Story Bible is perfect for parents to read to their children and for older children to read on their own.

First published in 2004, The Big Picture Story Bible has been widely praised and used by parents. It now comes with an audio recording of the book, read by the author and presented on two CDs, one each for the Old and New Testaments. Great for Sunday school classes and trips in the car, children can listen to the text and follow along in the book.

Author

David R. Helm(MDiv, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) serves as lead pastor of the Hyde Park congregation of Holy Trinity Church in Chicago. He also serves as Chairman of The Charles Simeon Trust, an organization which promotes practical instruction in preaching. He is the co-author of The Genesis Factor (with Jon Dennis), a contributor to Preach the Word: Essays on Expository Preaching, and the author of The Big Picture Story Bible and 1 and 2 Peter and Jude in the Preaching the Word commentary series.

Endorsements

“Christians parents looking for a Bible storybook they can trust will welcome The Big Picture Story Bible by David Helm and Gayle Schoonmaker. The biblical story is told well and in a way that will compel the attention of children. Parents, grandparents, and others will see this book as a friend as they teach their children the things of God.” R. Albert Mohler Jr., President and Joseph Emerson Brown Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“When serving as a pastor, I frequently purchased and gave this Bible to families with young children in hopes that the parents would read and absorb its message. Here’s a Bible storybook that shows the biblical story from Creation to New Testament—a book that anticipates Jesus in the Old Testament and makes his crucifixion and resurrection the proper climax of the New Testament. My wife and I love it. Our kids love it. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” Trevin Wax, Managing Editor, The Gospel Project; author, Gospel-Centered Teaching, Counterfeit Gospels, and Holy Subversion

“When my son was growing up we read lots of Bible storybooks. But somehow we missed the big story that all of the stories fit into. The Big Picture Story Bible provides a foundation for children (and their moms and dads) to grasp God’s intention for his people to be in his place under his loving rule from the first page of the Bible to the last. What a treasure!” Nancy Guthrie, Bible Teacher; author, Seeing Jesus in the Old Testament Bible study series

“As someone who tries to establish a regular pattern of family worship at the dinner table, I am always on the lookout for good Bible story resources to use with children of all ages. The Big Picture Story Bible is written in a simple way with pictures that reinforce the meaning of the biblical text and often contain details that generate conversation and lead to a deeper understanding of the gospel. Even better, Helm’s redemptive-historical orientation helps even the youngest Christians see the fundamental unity of the Bible and its single gospel message of salvation in Christ. As the title implies, it is an ideal book for helping little people get ‘the big picture.’ I have given dozens of these away as gifts. Highly recommended.” Philip Graham Ryken, President, Wheaton College

“This is an excellent book for both children and adults to read to gain the big story line of the entire Bible. The writing is excellent. The illustrations are excellent. The way the author summarizes the broad sweep of the Bible into 450 pages is also, excellent. If you’re planning on getting married and making babies, plan on reading this book to your babies.” Justin Buzzard, Lead Pastor, Garden City Church, Silicon Valley; author, Date Your Wife and The Big Story

“A powerfully done, relevant book for parents to teach their children about God. Buy this book and use it with your children.” Dennis Rainey, President and CEO, FamilyLife; host, FamilyLife Today; author, Stepping Up

“This book is an outstanding resource for parents who delight in invading their children’s lives with the gospel. Your children will learn and grow through the marvelous words and pictures, and your heart will be refreshed and comforted again and again with the greatest story of all.” Barbara Duguid, author, Extravagant Grace

“David Helm has a pastor’s eye for the grand narrative of Scripture, combined with a father’s understanding of how to communicate that big idea to little minds. Gail Schoonmaker’s delightful pictures not only illustrate the text but also include additional details that invite parent and child to plunge deeper into the richness of the biblical account. Highly recommended!” Iain M. Duguid, Professor of Old Testament, Grove City College; author, Numbers (Preaching the Word Commentary Series)

“This book is wonderfully illustrated and carefully written. The author labors for biblical precision, emphasizing a big God and the ugliness of sin. David Helm regularly asks questions in the course of the book, proving to be helpful fodder for discussion and interaction with your child. My kids are eager to bring the book to me to read and this gives me great joy as a parent. I am excited to heartily recommend The Big Picture Story Bible.” Erik Raymond, Senior Pastor, Emmaus Bible Church, Omaha, Nebraska

“I like how the book is illustrated and how all the stories fit together. We wore out our copy from reading it so much. It’s great for children of all ages.” Alexis Raymond, age 10

“I absolutely love The Big Picture Story Bible. It’s full of rich theology for small people. David Helm makes it plain that the Bible is more than a collection of stories; it is God’s story, into which we, his creatures, are called. It faithfully presents the richness and complexity of God’s witness to us in Scripture, without distorted or misplaced emphasis. While there is no substitute for reading Scripture to and with our children, The Big Picture Story Bible is an outstanding introduction to the overarching biblical narrative.” Sarah Dahl, blogger, Aslan’s Library

“The Big Picture Story Bible effectively achieves its aim to give children a majestic picture of God. The illustrations will stir children to ask questions about God’s story. This is a worthwhile investment for your children. My family will be enjoying this book for years.” Joey Cochran, Church Planting Intern, Redeemer Fellowship Church, St. Charles, Illinois; dad of three

“The questions in The Big Picture Story Bible invite interaction with my children and help them anticipate what is coming next in the story. I enjoy reading this book with my children!” Kendall Cochran, mom of three

“I like The Big Picture Story Bible very much. I like how it shows me that Jesus died on a cross and rose again on Easter!” Chloe Cochran, age 6

“I like it! I like the pictures. They show me about Jesus!” Asher Cochran, age 3